MARRIAGE

TRADITIONS IN
ESTONIA
Julia Stoika
Betrothal
ENGAGEMENT DOESN'T
REQUIRE ANY BIG PARTY.

Estonians believe that it is only

through betrothal that a couple
can end up having a happy
married life.
Hen and Stag
Parties
Parties for a woman/man who is
going to get married soon, to which
only her/his female /male friends
are invited

THE FRIENDS OF THE BRIDE AND

THE GROOM ORGANIZE PARTIES,
BUT WHATEVER IS INVOLVED MUST
GET THE COUPLE'S APPROVAL.
The wedding
ceremony
PULMAISA
The job of the Pulmaisa is to keep the
wedding going, basically like a host
at an event. He also prepares and
conducts all the rituals, and games.
The wedding
ceremony
Unlike in the States, it’s not really
custom for the bride’s father to
bring in the bride.

Usually, the bride and the groom

come together, but nowadays
more and more people are loving
the american way.
The wedding
ceremony
It is rare to have church
weddings in Estonia
because Estonians don't
belong to any particular
religion.
RITUALS

getting rid of all the

sins from the brides
pre-married life
planting a tree
giving up the bride's
maiden name
The reception
Before it there's a ritual to
light the candle of
happiness. It’s a tall
candle symbolizing the fire
of the couples marriage.
It’s usually lit by the
parents, and the couple
should light it every year
on their anniversary.
The reception
The reception
At midnight it’s time to pass
on the bridal wreath. The
bride puts on a flower crown,
and the groom puts on a
hat, everybody sings along
the song of the Bridal
Wreath. The flower crown
and the hat are passed on to
the next couple.
After the wedding, the couple goes for a honeymoon. The couple
decides on the date and place for their honeymoon. The couple
can wait for some weeks or months after their wedding before they
go for a honeymoon.

The Honey-moon
To be continued...